FOR CHILDREN. 287

LAMBS AT PLAY.

Say, ye that know, ye who have felt and seen
Spring’s morning smiles and soul-enlivening green,
Say, did you give the thrilling transport way ?
Did your eye brighten, when young lambs at play
Leaped o’er your path with animated pride,

Or gazed in merry clusters by your side ?

Ye who can smile—to wisdom no disgrace—

At the arch meaning of a kitten’s face ;

If spotless innocence, and infant mirth,

- Exites to praise or gives reflection birth ;

In shades like these pursue your favourite joy,
*Midst Nature's revels, sports that never cloy.

A few begin a short but vigorous race,

And Indolence, abashed, soon flies the place :
Thus challenged forth, see thither, one by one,
From every side, assembling playmates run ;

A thousand wily antics mark their stay,

A starting crowd, impatient of delay :

Like the fond dove from fearful prison freed,
Each seems to say, “ Come, let us try our speed ;”
Away they scour, impetuous, ardent, strong,

The green turf trembling as they bound along ;
Adown the slope, then up the hillock climb,
Where every molehill is a bed of thyme ;

There, panting, stop; yet scarcely can refrain,

A bird, a leaf, will set them off again:

Or, if a gale with strength unusual blow,
Scattering the wild-brier roses into snow,

Their little limbs increasing efforts try

Like the torn flower, the fair assemblage fly.